Renshaw's Maiden Century and Ellis' Five-For Give Australia 1-0 Lead Over Zimbabwe

Australia began their return to Zimbabwe after 12 years with a 59-run win in the first ODI at Harare Sports Club, powered by Matt Renshaw's maiden century and a career-best five-wicket haul from Nathan Ellis, to take a 1-0 series lead.

After being sent in, Australia recovered from a wobble at 107 for 4 as Renshaw anchored the innings, sharing stands of 72 and 74 with Alex Carey and Oliver Peake to reach 109 off 94 balls, his maiden ODI hundred and the first century by an Australian against Zimbabwe since Michael Clarke's 105* in 2004. It also marked the first century by an Australian batting at number six or lower against Zimbabwe. Australia posted 294 for 8, with 20-year-old Newman Nyamhuri the pick of the bowlers, claiming his maiden ODI five-wicket haul with figures of 5 for 62, removing both Renshaw and Mitchell Marsh among his five victims.

In reply, Zimbabwe were undone by Nathan Ellis, who struck twice in his very first over to leave the hosts reeling at 44 for 3. Craig Ervine (59) and captain Sikandar Raza (57) shared a defiant 98-run stand to briefly rekindle hope, but Spencer Johnson's yorker to bowl Raza swung the match firmly back in Australia's favour. Ellis returned to mop up the tail, finishing with 5 for 31 as Zimbabwe were bowled out for 235 with 4.5 overs unused.

The second ODI follows later in the series as Australia look to seal victory with a match to spare.